Legal Counsel in the Legal team of EWR Co, the company the Department for Transport set up to oversee East West Rail. The post advises on development consent, planning, land and property, compulsory acquisition and stakeholder matters across a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. Lawyers in this embedded function take ownership of complex, interconnected issues and turn advice into decisions for delivery teams and senior leaders, instructing external advisers where needed. Fit depends on being a solicitor or barrister of England and Wales with infrastructure experience.
What the job involves
- Give practical, risk-based legal advice across DCO, planning, consents, land and property workstreams
- Advise on land matters including compulsory purchase, temporary possession, blight, Need to Sell, early acquisition, compensation and land access
- Advise on planning, environmental and other regulatory issues arising from the programme
- Advise on how DCO powers, land rights, utilities, consenting and programme delivery interact
- Take ownership of complex matters, identifying legal risks and recommending routes forward
- Work with delivery teams and other EWR Co functions to identify and resolve legal issues early
- Assist on complex stakeholder and landowner matters where legal, public law, equality, governance or reputational issues arise
- Instruct, manage and challenge external legal advisers for proportionate, value-for-money advice
- Develop legal guidance, processes and ways of working that support efficient programme delivery
- Act in line with EWR Co's Ways of Working and contribute to a collaborative team culture
Qualifications
- Qualified as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales
Experience
- Background as a lawyer working on major infrastructure projects
- Experience across several of: planning and consents, compulsory purchase, land acquisition, land access, environmental law, public law
- Familiarity with instructing and managing external legal advisers
Skills & knowledge
- Legal judgement and confidence to take ownership of complex matters, form a view and recommend a course of action
- Understanding of how legal issues interact with programme delivery, commercial considerations, stakeholders and project risk
- Ability to manage competing priorities and work with complexity and ambiguity in a fast-paced setting
- Clear, pragmatic communication that turns complex legal issues into practical advice for non-lawyers and senior stakeholders
- Collaborative approach to teamwork that supports continuity of legal services
Nice to have
- Experience of working on DCOs, NSIPs or other significant consenting regimes
What’s offered
- Up to 12% employer pension contribution
- 36 days annual leave including bank holidays, with the option to buy up to 2 extra days
- 2 volunteering days
- Enhanced family-friendly policies
- Life assurance at 4 times annual salary
- Employee Assistance Programme and Perkbox discounts and wellbeing benefits
- Recognition programme with on-the-spot and annual awards
- Learning and development opportunities
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
